"Skins," a scripted program about the exploits of misfit teens, is causing concern among MTV executives who fear that some episodes of the show may violate federal child pornography laws, reports The New York Times.

The show’s producers cast actors ranging from 15 to 19 years old, with many of them having no prior acting experience, the story notes.

Acording to the article, some MTV executives "are particularly concerned about the third episode of the series, which is to be broadcast Jan. 31. In an early version, a naked 17-year-old actor is shown from behind as he runs down a street. The actor, Jesse Carere, plays Chris, a high school student whose erection–assisted by erectile dysfunction pills–is a punch line throughout the episode.The planned changes indicate that MTV, which has been pushing the envelope for decades, may be concerned that it pushed too far this time."

The article also says that "The [MTV] executives ordered the producers to make changes to tone down some of the most explicit content."

The series, based on a U.K. hit, is intended to be as edgy as the original. Says the article, " ‘Skins’ is an import from Britain, a country that has historically displayed a higher tolerance for TV eroticism than the United States. The episodes for MTV, including the third one, which was shared with TV critics, are virtually identical to the source material. The remade episodes, like the ones in Britain, included simulated masturbation, implied sexual assault, and teenagers disrobing and getting into bed together."